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Do you want to be a part of the Magic, too? Join Auburn Career Discovery and Success on Oct. 8 to learn more about working for Disney!

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 What comes to mind when you hear “The Most Magical Place On Earth?”

You’re probably thinking of vacationing at Walt Disney World in Florida. But for many Auburn University alumni and students, Disney is not just a vacation destination — it’s also an employer.

While some Auburn alumni work full-time as “cast members” at The Walt Disney Company, there are also plenty of young alumni and students who participate in the Disney College Program, an internship program where students live and work onsite at Disney World — with full access to the parks — and learn about the inner workings of one of the world’s most admired brands.

Since 2002, more than 450 Auburn students have successfully completed the Disney College Program experience. And with the help of Auburn Career Discovery and Success, another 20 students will begin the program this fall.

Disney College Program

Currently an intern in the Disney College Program, Mark Avant-Brewer grew up taking family vacations to Disney World. He began the program after graduating from Auburn’s Harbert College of Business with a bachelor’s degree in finance this past May and is now working as a Disney PhotoPass photographer, taking pictures of guests as they enjoy their time at EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex.

While his minor in sports communication helped him land a photographer position, Avant-Brewer’s background in finance is helping him learn and analyze the business side of Disney by observing park operations. Since the vibrant colors of the PhotoPass photographer uniform make him one of the most visible cast members on duty, he is constantly answering questions about the parks and interacting with hundreds of guests every day.

“The most surprising thing I have learned is how deeply rooted the company is in American and global society,” he said. “I love to ask guests, ‘Who is your favorite Disney character?’ because the company possesses some of the most lucrative franchises and internationally renowned characters. I learn something new every day.”

Auburn student Patrick Byrne, who completed the program this past spring, agrees the opportunity to connect with guests and other cast members is paramount to the internship experience.

“Program participants receive free park admission and exclusive experiences, but the best part was being able to share these experiences with new people from around the world and making lifelong friendships,” he said.

Byrne, a rising junior studying mechanical engineering in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, worked in park operations at the Mission: SPACE attraction in EPCOT. A member of Auburn’s Theme Park Design Club, he felt the experience was an excellent introduction to the industry, and he was able to gain a deeper understanding of how rides are designed and engineered.  

“The themed entertainment industry gives engineers an outlet to design and build unique and exciting machines that exist to entertain guests,” Byrne said.

Interns like Byrne and Avant-Brewer who complete the Disney College Program have the skills needed to succeed when they apply for full-time work, whether that’s at Disney or another company. Shereada Harrell, director of Employer and Alumni Engagement at Career Discovery and Success, says the program is a great way for students to network and develop valuable career skills through professional development opportunities and social events.

“The experience is rewarding because they’re getting a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of various areas in Disney, whether it’s food service, retail, hospitality management or park operations,” Harrell said. “Disney has a special interest in our culinary programs and our students in liberal arts, business, engineering and architecture as they recruit for both the College Program and Disney Internships.”

An Auburn education in action

When she was growing up, Kenslie McGuire loved taking photos during her visits to Walt Disney World. Now, the 2015 Auburn graduate is taking photos at Walt Disney World for a living.

“It’s a surreal, full-circle moment,” said McGuire, a senior photographer with the Walt Disney Company. “I’m very thankful to be a part of a company that has a tradition of excellence and growth, as well as a great cast culture. I love Disney World!”

McGuire, who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design from the School of Industrial and Graphic Design, is just one of the many Auburn alumni who are “cast members” at Disney.

McGuire works for Disney’s internal ad agency, Yellow Shoes Creative Group, where she helps to create new images and campaigns for advertising, promotions and online platforms for Disney Cruise Line, the theme parks and more.

Before landing her dream job at Disney, McGuire spent years completing projects for many well-known brands, including Schwinn Bikes, Kate Spade, K-Swiss, Canon and Nestle. She says the design education she received at Auburn was rigorous training that has paid off, both in her work at Disney and her former position as an ad agency art director and photographer.

“I’m so thankful for all our professors that pushed us and taught us design principles, history and business,” she said. “They instilled a creative mindset in us that I have continued to use throughout my career. It’s exciting to now use all the experience I gained at Auburn and in other professional roles at a company I love.”

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Want to be part of the magic?

Not only do Auburn alumni and students go to Disney, but Disney also comes to Auburn. On October 8, Auburn students will have a chance to learn more about the company’s available programs when Disney returns to campus for a Day on the Plains.

The Auburn University Career Services Network, in partnership with Career Discovery and Success, regularly hosts employers like Disney for a Day on the Plains, a day-long event where students can learn more about potential employers who can in turn deepen their connection with all things Auburn. In addition to Disney, other Day on the Plains participants have included Regions Bank, Norfolk Southern, Delta Air Lines and Accenture. Whether they are in their first year or preparing to graduate, students have access to all the benefits of Auburn’s Career Services Network, with offices and support personnel offered both within individual colleges and centrally.

“Here in Career Discovery and Success, we aim to empower and support a ‘career everywhere’ approach, providing tailored support to all stakeholders on campus — that includes students, employers and other career services units across campus,” Harrell said. “The services and resources provided through Career Discovery and Success and the Auburn Career Services Network include exploratory academic advising and career counseling, assistance developing a career readiness plan, internship and job search preparation and the development of industry connections for a successful first destination post-graduation.”

In addition to the unique perk of access to the theme parks, interns learn about the business practices of an iconic brand and make connections that can last a lifetime. Avant-Brewer, who recently received more than 100 guest compliments, says there are plenty of reasons for Auburn students to apply for the program.

“The best part of the program for me is meeting cast members in other departments and wonderful guests from different countries,” he said. “I’ve met people I know will be friends of mine for life and guests I will keep in contact with. Meeting amazing guests makes me reminisce, and I look forward to this Christmas when my family and I will be at the parks together for the first time together in almost 20 years.”